08 March 2024: 2023 Ramsay Postgraduate Scholar Jack Hamilton, from Newcastle, NSW, is studying a Master of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Oxford.
A former UNSW university medallist, he’s currently investigating genetically-modified fruit flies to better understand the biological processes behind sleep/wake regulation; research which could lead to the creation of new therapies for sleep disorders like insomnia, as well as other disorders where sleep is disrupted like depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s Disease, autism, stroke, and more.
Outside the lab, Jack recently represented Oxford in the famed rugby Varsity match against Cambridge. He is soaking up Oxford life but says, most importantly, his Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship has made his academic dreams come true.
In his own words:
“Above all, the Ramsay Scholarship has allowed me to pursue my academic dreams here at the University of Oxford. As a Neuroscience student, Oxford has formed a hugely important part of my field’s history; many of the seminal studies of the brain and nervous system occurred in the very buildings I now study and research in. I was eager to come and experience the top academic environment here, and it’s been everything I could’ve hoped for and more. I think one of the biggest assets of a place like Oxford is how focused you are able to be on your studies here. Especially supported by a scholarship, you don’t have to worry about working, so you can completely immerse yourself in your subject. You have all the facilities and mentors you could ask for, and you are never more than a 10 minute bike ride from something. Oxford is sometimes referred to as a bit of a bubble but I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing; it’s a really unique atmosphere and it allows everyone to be focused and productive whilst here. I came to Oxford focused on becoming a better thinker, scientist, person, and leader, and I definitely feel I’m heading in the right direction across all these domains, thanks to the support of the Ramsay Scholarship.
My MSc in Neuroscience has been exceptional. The course is world-class and I’ve had the privilege of meeting outstanding students from South Africa, Ukraine, Canada, India, USA, Israel, Poland, and the UK. With just over 20 of us in the class, it’s very tight-knit and we’re able to collaborate with such ease. Outside of shared classes we each have our own research projects. I’m currently working in the lab of Professor Miesenböck, where we’re trying to understand the brain mechanisms responsible for sensing the build-up of “sleep pressure”, which accumulates throughout the day and dissipates at night when you sleep. To do this, we’re using genetically modified Drosophila (fruit flies) to investigate the role of mitochondrial respiration in the fly’s sleep-wake control centre. By studying flies which express certain proteins that interfere with mitochondrial respiration, we can better understand how this fundamental biological process contributes to sleep/wake regulation. We hope this will not only advance our basic understand of sleep, but from our findings there’s potential to create new therapies for sleep disorders like insomnia, as well as other disorders where sleep is disrupted like depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s Disease, autism, stroke, and more. It’s all extremely fascinating and intellectually stimulating, especially working under arguably the best neuroscientist in the world in Gero Miesenböck.
It’s hard to comprehend that I’ve only been in Oxford for 5 months; it feels far more like 10 with everything you pack into it. There is a standout highlight every single day, to the point I’ve had to start writing down everything that happens to remember it all. It’s truly a privileged experience in this respect. If I had to choose a few… An academic highlight has been being accepted and working in the lab of Professor Gero Miesenböck, the Waynflete Professor of Physiology here at Oxford and the mind behind “optogenetics”, the new tool which has completely revolutionised neuroscience research worldwide. An extra-curricular highlight would be seeing Iain McGilchrist speak in the chapel of my college, St Cross. He delivered a deeply compelling talk on the future of civilisation and in particular the “university” as a place of scholarship and the pursuit of truth, all in the context of his hemisphere theory (look it up!). Finally, a sporting highlight is definitely being selected to play in the historic Varsity match against Cambridge. Dating back to 1872, the annual fixture is an important and hotly contested one, even listed in the World Rugby Hall of Fame. Unfortunately we went down this year, but I managed at least to etch something in the personal history books by scoring a try.
I found out about the Ramsay Scholarship through my own research online after receiving an offer from Oxford and then realising how unrealistically expensive it is to fund graduate study as an international student. Fortunately, I came across the Ramsay webpage and quickly realised how incredibly supportive it was and that I was eligible.”
Interested in a Ramsay Postgraduate Scholarship? Our scholarships support outstanding, thoughtful and imaginative young Australian leaders to study at the world’s best overseas universities and are valued at up to AUD$90,000 p.a. Our 2024 round is still open. For more information go to: https://www.ramsaycentre.org/scholarships-courses/postgraduate-scholarships/
To read more about Jack Hamilton and our other 2023 Ramsay Postgraduate Scholars go to: https://www.ramsaycentre.org/scholarships-courses/postgraduate-scholarships/2023-ramsay-postgraduate-scholars/
Media contact: Sarah Switzer 0407 816 098/ sarah.switzer@ramsaycentre.org
For more information on the centre please visit our website: www.ramsaycentre.org